Antonia Romeo: Starmer's 'Marmite' Cabinet Secretary Pick Divides Whitehall
Dame Antonia Romeo, Sir Keir Starmer's controversial selection for Cabinet Secretary, represents a significant departure from her predecessors, with Downing Street viewing her as a "disrupter" to accelerate policy goals and "rewire" Whitehall. As the first woman in this role, her public profile—including connections with figures like Dame Joanna Lumley and Alexa Chung—contrasts with the traditionally anonymous nature of senior civil servants, sparking debate about visibility and influence.
Praise and Criticism: A Polarising Figure
Former colleagues have lauded Dame Antonia as "dynamic" and "whip smart," yet she is described as a "Marmite" figure who divides opinion. Dave Penman, head of the FDA civil servants' union, argued that senior officials should be more visible, stating, "It's incompatible that people don't know who she is or what she's about—she needs a profile." He dismissed much of the briefing against her as misogynistic, noting that ambition in a man would be praised, while in a woman, it is often criticised.
Penman highlighted her tenure as consul-general in New York, where she hosted events like a star-studded centenary party for Vogue, emphasising that promoting the fashion industry was part of her job and done effectively. However, scepticism persists in Westminster due to allegations of bullying during her time in New York and questions over her expenses, including claims for a last-minute flight to London where she later attended the Baftas.
Background and Rise Through the Ranks
Dame Antonia takes over from Sir Chris Wormald, a career civil servant who stepped down as Starmer sought to shake up Downing Street amid the Peter Mandelson scandal. With an MA in philosophy, politics, and economics from Oxford University and an MSc in economics from the London School of Economics, she worked in the private sector at consultancy firm Oliver Wyman before joining the Civil Service in 2000.
Her rapid ascent included roles as an economist and senior positions across various departments, most recently as permanent secretary in the Home Office. The Government has addressed expense concerns, stating that during a short transition period in 2017, while acting as both consul-general in New York and permanent secretary for the Department for International Trade in London, she incurred costs under an agreed arrangement and later repaid some expenses, which was within standard process.
Controversy and Due Diligence
Lord Simon McDonald, her former boss at the Foreign Office, publicly urged the Government to ensure due diligence in vetting candidates after she was tipped as the frontrunner, warning on Channel 4 News that "the due diligence has some way still to go." Penman called these remarks "outrageous" and "unfair," noting that as an existing civil servant, Dame Antonia cannot defend herself. The Government asserts she underwent an "enhanced due diligence process" for the role.
Mike Clancy, general secretary of the Prospect union, expressed willingness to work with Dame Antonia but warned that officials can only be "partners in reform" if issues like pay progression for specialists are addressed, calling this a top priority for the Cabinet Secretary.
Leadership Philosophy and Future Implications
In a 2017 TedX talk on "Whitehall Women," Dame Antonia outlined her views on leadership, stating, "The one thing that great leaders always do is they take organisations and people to places that they wouldn't have got to otherwise, and that's how you can spot them." Her appointment signals Starmer's intent to transform Whitehall, but where it leads the Government remains uncertain, with her divisive reputation and reform agenda setting the stage for potential clashes and innovations in the civil service.
